Joh 15:1-5 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for John 15:1-27: 15:1-27 Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure, instructing them to remain in close fellowship with him. The image of a grapevine illustrates both intimacy and fruitfulness. To sustain genuine spiritual life in the world, believers must remain intimately connected to Christ. 15:1 I am: See study note on 6:35. The grapevine and the vineyard traditionally represented God’s people, planted and tended by him in Israel (Ps 80:8-18 ; Isa 5:1-7 ; Jer 2:21 ; 12:10-11 ; Ezek 15:1-5 ; Hos 10:1-2 ). When Jesus used this image, he made an important departure: He declared that he is the true grapevine and that a relationship with God requires attachment to him.

a15:1-27►

b15:1►

cPs 80:8-18►

dIsa 5:1-7►

eJer 2:21►

f12:10-11►

gEzek 15:1-5►

hHos 10:1-2►

i15:2-3►

j15:4►

k15:4-10►

l14:16-25►

m15:26►

‏ John 15:1-5

Summary for John 15:1-27: 15:1-27 ^a Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure, instructing them to remain in close fellowship with him. The image of a grapevine illustrates both intimacy and fruitfulness. To sustain genuine spiritual life in the world, believers must remain intimately connected to Christ. 15:1 ^b I am: See study note on 6:35. The grapevine and the vineyard traditionally represented God’s people, planted and tended by him in Israel (Ps 80:8-18 ^c; Isa 5:1-7 ^d; Jer 2:21 ^e; 12:10-11 ^f; Ezek 15:1-5 ^g; Hos 10:1-2 ^h). When Jesus used this image, he made an important departure: He declared that he is the true grapevine and that a relationship with God requires attachment to him.
Summary for John 15:2-3: 15:2-3 ⁱ Gardeners cut away dead branches and trim healthy branches so they will produce more fruit. Fruitfulness is the result of life-giving connection to the vine.
15:4 ^j The term remain (Greek menō) is key to understanding 15:4-10 ^k. A growing disciple, in whom the Father and the Son live through the Spirit, must be continuously connected to Christ (see 14:16-25 ^l; 15:26 ^m).